D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "WHEN the last ice age came to an end, the great glaciers that capped Northern Europe melted, uncovering a barren and rugged land..." (more)
Key Phrases: iron mitt, sweet mead, Midgard's Serpent

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Out of print for many years, 'Norse Gods and Giants' has been very handsomely reissued by The New York Review Children's Collection and retitled 'D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths'. Featuring a sturdy sewn binding, the book arguably represents the pinnacle of the d'Aulaires' achievement as storytellers and artists." --The New York Times Book Review

Product Description

The Norse myths are some of the greatest stories of all time. Weird monsters, thoroughly human gods, elves and sprites and gnomes, with grim giants nursing ancient grudges lurking behind—the mysterious and entrancing world of Norse myth comes alive in these pages thanks to the spellbinding storytelling and spectacular pictures of the incomparable d'Aulairse. In this classic book, the art of the Caldecott Award—winning authors of d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, a longtime favorite of children and parent, reaches one of its pinnacles. It offers a way into a world of fantasy and struggle and charm that has served as inspiration for Marvel Comics and the Lord of the Rings.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 155 pages
• Publisher: New York Review of Books (May 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159017125X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590171257
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,398 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Norse
  #3 in	Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Norse
  #3 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Chabon, Michael

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yeah! It's back in print., September 17, 2005

By	Lynn C (Maryland) - See all my reviews

Several years ago my husband and I were disappointed to find that the d'Aulaire's book had gone out of print. (We wanted to be able to read it to our children.) We found a very used copy and bought it because, despite this copy's poor condition, the book was very hard to find. Now we will be able to replace it with a copy that is in one piece.

The stories are well researched and well told. The illustrations are great--if you are familiar with other works by the d'Aulaires you will know what I mean. This is a great Norse mythology for children.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mortal Gods of Asgard, February 27, 2006

By	James Paris "Tarnmoor" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I remember having this book read to me when I was a child. It was only when I saw a photograph of some of the illustrations in a book review of the NYRB reprint that I ordered a copy for myself and devoured it. All through my childhood, I knew of Odin the One-Eyed, duplicitous Loki, and the willowy Freya -- but I had not recalled where it was that I learned about them.

One of the things that most struck me about the wooing and fighting gods of Asgard was that they were mortal. The world tree, Yggdrasil, was threatened by a dragon in Niflheim that gnawed at its roots; and the giant wolf Fenris was hogtied by a magic cord. Around the same time, both of them cut loose and attacked. What ensued was Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods.

Why the old Norse peoples should have killed off their gods was always a question in my mind. Did it happen before or after Olaf Tryggvason, the Kind of Norway, was converted to Christianity around the year A.D. 1000? It does make some sense to establish the new religion by dusting off the old.

This book has stayed with me for the better part of a lifetime. As a parent, I think you can certainly do worse than sharing this memorable book and its glowing illustrations with your children.

One little footnote: Last Christmas, I sponsored a wolf at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in Ramah, NM whose name is Fenris. Look out, world!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's my standard new-kid gift., July 4, 2006

By	Douglas Palmer "just a guy who likes good books" (Annapolis, Maryland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is impossible to over-recommend this book. It fired my young daughter with a love of literature that has lasted her through grad school and beyond. This book is my standard present for every newborn among my family and friends. "Start reading it to him at two years," I tell them. "You'll think he's too young, but he won't be." The illustrations are perfect for little children, their apparent roughness disguising their artistry, and the stories are kid-fun. A great book, and a great start to a life of loving books.